Movement and Distribution of Smallmouth Bass in the Middle Snake River

Abstract
The movement and distribution of smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui, were studied in the Snake River, a large western river, prior to impoundment. A tag and recovery program was designed to assess interpool movement. Smallmouth bass were collected by angling and electrofishing. Primacord, a detonating fuse, was used to assess distribution during late fall and winter. Underwater observations were made with SCUBA apparatus. Bass behavior was studied in the laboratory and dealt principally with temperature effects, light intensity and substrate. Only 8% of the tagged fish recaptured were taken by anglers; the remaining 92% were taken by electrofishing. Ninety-nine (76%) of the recovered fish free at least 7 days were found in the same pool or defined location in which they were tagged, while 22 of the 31 fish recovered outside the pool in which they were marked had moved less than 1200 m (1,312 yds). A few moved several kilometers upstream or downstream from the release point. There was no signi...

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